The Hitmen beat the Oil Kings tonight, and thus the Hitmen have clinched the Scotty Munro trophy for #1 overall in the regular season. They are the first team since the 03-04 Kelowna Rockets to repeat as WHL regular season champions.
Brandon beat Regina, and in the process wrapped up the East division title and thus will get the #2 seed in the East. Saskatoon did win their game against Prince Albert but ultimately that win is meaningless as they cannot catch Brandon anymore after the Wheaties win. So the Blades will get the #3 seed.
Kootenay beat Red Deer, and that put an end to any chance Red Deer had of finishing above the #6 seed. They will be #6 and will face Saskatoon in the first round - the first finalized matchup we have this year.
With Red Deer and Calgary both having locked up their spots, their season finale meeting on Sunday is completely meaningless. Look for some veterans to be rested on both sides in preparation for the playoffs.
Medicine Hat beat Lethbridge, which allows them to keep pace with the Ice in the battle for #4 and #5. The Tigers and Ice will now definitely be facing each other in the first round; what's still up for grabs is home ice advantage. They both have one game remaining, and the Ice have a one point lead in the standings as well as owning the tiebreaker. So the only chance the Tigers have is to win their game (against Lethbridge) and hope the Ice lose theirs (against Edmonton) in regulation. Looks good for Kootenay to finish #4, if you ask me.
In the West, Tri-City beat Spokane, which puts an end to any chances the Chiefs had of finishing first. Everett also won, which keeps the race between Tri-City and Everett for #1 going; Everett still needs Tri-City not to win their last game tomorrow though if they are to have any chance. An Ams win wraps up the division title and #1 seed for the Americans.
Portland also won, which keeps alive their slim chances at home ice in the first round. They could still get that #4 seed if they win their last game and Spokane loses both of their remaining games, in regulation.
Kelowna beat Vancouver, which clinches the #6 spot for the Rockets. And Kamloops picked a bad time to lose to Prince George; that loss, coupled with Chilliwack's OT loser point against Portland, means the Bruins slip one point ahead of the Blazers in the battle for #7/#8. Kamloops now needs one more point from their finale against Vancouver than Chilliwack gets in their finale against Everett if the Blazers want #7 back.
So, 6 of the 16 seedings are set now.....at least four more will be set after tomorrow night's games.....
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